Horsington

If you are interested in architectural history, Horsington offers several specific points of interest: Horsington Manor, The Grange, the Horsington village cross and the Church of St John the Baptist. Walk 5, along with riding lessons and dog training, adds activities to this focus. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip to Horsington, you can plan your visit around architectural history, Walk 5 or riding activities.

Historic Buildings and Local History

Horsington Manor was built by the Spencer family between 1753 and 1770. The manor house retains tall six-panel doors and a fine 18th-century staircase. Its construction period and surviving details give the house a clearly defined historical character.

The Grange also offers its own architectural point of interest: it has a fine 18th-century staircase with a blind arcade. A plaque on the north gable bears the inscriptions “1686 TW” and “1856 HDW”. The Wickham family provided Horsington’s rectors from 1686 to 1897.

The Horsington village cross still stands in its original position, at the site of the medieval village market. According to one historical interpretation, it was erected in 1284 in connection with the granting of the right to the lord of the manor to hold a fair, a market and a court. The medieval figurative carving may depict a friar; two skulls are shown above the figure and a ram’s head below. This possible interpretation is distinct from the features described with certainty.

The Church of St John the Baptist preserves fragments from the 15th and 18th centuries and was rebuilt by Willcox of Bath in 1885–1887. High Victorian open timber roofs with barrel vaulting and patterned clay-tile floors feature in its architectural description. There is also an octagonal font dating to around 1400. In Horsington, you can therefore encounter medieval details, as well as elements from the 18th century and a late 19th-century rebuilding.

Walk 5 and Other Activities

Walk 5 covers 4 miles (6.5 km), takes approximately 1.5 hours and is graded easy to moderate. You can take its approximate duration and grading into account when planning your walk. As public rights of way can change, follow current local signage.

Pevlings Farm Riding & Livery Stables in Horsington offers riding lessons for children and adults. The facilities described include three floodlit outdoor arenas, show-jumping obstacles and cross-country training obstacles. There are also opportunities for rides on quiet country lanes and bridleways. The offering thus includes riding lessons, different forms of obstacle training and rides.

At a facility in South Cheriton, Horsington, Jump And Go offers puppy and dog training courses. This adds another specific activity for planning your trip, alongside walking and riding.

Travel by Bus and on Foot

Mill Cottage is a stop on Buses of Somerset’s route 58. An approximately 45-minute walk to the Horsington bus stop follows Duck Lane and the A357. Check bus information again before you travel, as transport details can change.

Discover more destinations: Lyng, Highbridge, Queen Camel, Ashwick, Redlynch, South Petherton, Hatch Beauchamp, North Petherton

For the wider travel overview: Somerset.